led for 1f, prominent, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, in touch, headway over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, kept on well comfortably
held up, in touch, ridden well over 2f out, soon beaten
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Imperial Star gets the call here ahead of Count Trevisio and Barodine. Motivator's half-brother, Imperial Star, looked a horse of much promise when winning his maiden here last time and he can play a leading role in this race today. A four-pounds rise for his Sandown winning return is hardly excessive for Count Trevisio and he looks set to go well also. The step up in trip following a pleasing seasonal return could bring about improvement from Psychic Star, while, much as Salute Him swooped late to score at Sandown last time, those tactics might be harder to pull off here. Barodine's handicap runs are solid enough but one or two others might possess a little more scope at this point, while Speedy Sam is a little hard to fully assess based on his Southwell win, but Robustian does not look quite good enough for win purposes. Once again, then, Imperial Star gets the vote.
Count Trevisio (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Led to 6f out, rallied to regain lead entering final furlong, flashed tail and edged left final furlong, kept on well, won at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun beating Heaven Knows (9-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Imperial Star (IRE) 3-1co-fav (8-13) In touch, ridden to lead and hung left from inside final 2f, in command over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Sabah (8-5) by 5l, 16 ran.
Psychic Star 50-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, no headway final 2f, 8th of 19, 13l behind Red Evie (8-12) at Ascot 1m 3yo fll lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
Salute Him (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Made all, battled on gamely, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jun beating John Terry (9-1) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Barodine 6-1 (9-1) Led 1f, prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Soapy Danger (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Robustian 9-2 (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, nk behind Sir Arthur (9-5) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Heaven Knows 11-8fav (9-0) In touch on inside, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure towards finish, held by winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Count Trevisio (9-7) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Speedy Sam 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Jun beating Digger Boy (9-3) by 5l, 12 ran.
